Georgia Southern's 2-3 record looks worse than this team has played. Clay Helton's Eagles lost 3 straight to Clemson, Jacksonville State and Houston before conference play. Going into the Coastal game, the defense was allowing 301.8 yards per game, 37th in the country, while the offense ranked 85th at 376 yards per game. The Eagles then won 31-24 in Conway, their 4th straight win over the Chanticleers, and opened Sun Belt play 1-0.
Wagner87-3
Charleston Southern31-0The Dukes' résumé is more than a blowout of Wagner. They won 26-13 at San Diego State and 46-20 at Old Dominion, so they've already shown they can win on the road. The only close one was the 20-13 opener against Liberty. Georgia Southern has played better at Paulson, beating Charleston Southern 31-0 there, but Houston also scored 42 on that field. That game is the clearest sign of how the Eagles' defense handles an offense that can hit big plays. For background: last season, this matchup was a 35-10 JMU win in Harrisonburg.
The early forecast could matter. It calls for thunderstorms, a 45% chance of rain and 12 mph wind for an outdoor stadium in Statesboro. A wet field generally favors the team with a strong run game, and JMU has one in Pettaway. Georgia Southern's case is simple: a defense that held its own against a tough non-conference schedule, a home crowd, and a week after winning to start league play. James Madison's case is bigger, and the Dukes are still waiting to find out who's healthy at quarterback.